Tube holder



Oct. 20, 1931. J. B. wANTz ET AL TUBE HOLDER Filed- Dec. 3, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l /NVENTOS JUL/US 13. WNTZ JUL/[15 J. 62056' NEK Oct- 20, 1931 .1. B. WANTZ ET AL.

TUBE HOLDER Filed Dec. 5, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet MMA/m: I

Patented Oct. 20, 1931 UNITE STATES PATENT orricr:

JULIUS B. VVANTZ, OF OAK PAR-K, AND JULIUS J. GROBE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AS- jf SIGNORS TO GENERAL ELECTR-IC X-RAY CORPORATION, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A

COBPORATION OF NEW YORK TUBE- HOLDER Application filed December 3, 1926. Serial No. 152,347.

The present invention relates to X-ray apparatus, and has particularly to do with an apparat-us whereby a plurality of X-ray tubes may be maintained in position for substantially instant use.

For the Roentgenologist, there are two entirely different fields of ende-avor, one dependent upon the other, that are very prominent and important; The first of these is that X-ray examination designated fluoroscopy, and this is intended to aid the Roentgenologist through visual examination and with the effect of X-rays upon a fluoroscopic screen, to see in shadow form the interior of the subject through Which the X-rays penetrate. p

VVhile fiuoroscopic examinations are highly useful in diagnostic and other work, these examinations do not give the same-definiteness of results as radiographs. One of the principal uses, then, of fluoroscopic examinations is as a preliminary to procuring radiographs; b

Radiography gives to the Roentgenologist a light and shadow picture of the parts penetrated by X-light. It permits of analysis by the Roentgenologist of the photograph thus obtained and allows the person making such examination an extended period for study of the subject and the characteristics disclosed in the shadow picture.

Very few persons could stand the strain necessary to permit of a study which is usually required in these cases.V On the other hand, the eye, by the fluoroscopic screen r examination; is unable to discern many of the details which are clearly brought out by radiographs. i

For fluoroscopic examination, the amount of electromotive force employed is relatively small. The X-ray tube is of a lower power than that required for radiography. It would not-be desirable to subject a patient to long exposure under the X-light employedV for photography for fear of burning or other deleterious .efiects Tlie electromotlive force required for radiographic work is many times greater than that for fluoroscopic examinations,v and the exposures are for relatively short periods. v I i f f A different character of focus is required for tubes intended for fluoroscopic examination from that for radiographic work.

Usually the tube required for fluoroscopic r work has what is called a sharp focus because low power is employed. The focus for radiographic work should be quite broad because the energy employed or dissipated is exceedingly large and the period of activity p requires under different circumstaiices different tubes.

So far as the information available discloses, Conventional X-ray devices provide means only for employing one tube eitherk above or below or at one side of an X-ray apparatus. The purpose of the present invention is to provide in X-ray apparatus, both of the horizontal and Vertical type, a holder for a plurality of tubes, and means for bringing such tubes as required quickly into use.

Means for the shifting of the tubes and the quick electrical connection thereof with the power lines is absolutely necessary in carrying out the objects of the invention.

The objects of the invention, among others, include the following:

The provision of a multiple tube holder for X-ray tubes;

A device for holding a plurality of X-ray tubes and means for quickly Shifting the device so that such tubes may be brought into operable position;

A new and improved article of manufacture comprising a device for holding a plurality of X-ray tubes possessing means for Shifting such tubes at the will of the operator, and means for establishing as an incident to such Shifting, electrical connection 'whereby the desired or selected tube may be- I til) ioe

will of the operator, and means for establishing electrical connections with such tubes as an incident to Shifting in opel-able position, the device including means for preventing short Circuiting or the probabilty of other electrical accidents.

These, and such others as may hereinafter appear, are obtained by the novel Construction of the elements eonstiiuting the device, their combination one with another, and the arrangement of the several elements with respect to an X-ray apparatus.

Two forms of the invention are disclosed, one form showing a device as employed upon a horizontal X-ray apparatus and the other form adapting a device to a Vertical apparatus.

Two sheets of drawings are appended, and in said drawings Figure 1 is a side elcvation of an X-ray table of Conventional design upon which a multiple tube holder embodying one form of the present invention is disposed, a part of the table being broken away to save space;

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the devicc shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a back elevation of a Vertical X-ray device having attached thereto a. multiple tube holding member, parts of the device being broken away for better illustration; and

F igure 4 is a side elcvation of the device shown in F igure 3.

Like reference characters are used to designate similar parts in the drawings and in the description which follows.

Reference should be had first t-o Figures 1 and 2. In these figures is shown an X-ray table in elevation. The table is Conventional and comprises end pieces, 10 and 11, having cross members 12 and 13. Intermediate members 10 and 1.1 are horizontally dsposed longitudinal supports 14 and 15. Also lon` gitudinally disposed intermediate the end members 10 and 11 is a table top 16 which is of material transparent to X-rays.

The parts 14 provide a suitable track for a reciprocating earria ge 17 having at one side thereof a standard 18. A voke 19 is adapted to teleseope upon standard 18 and a fork 20 is journalled in said .veke 10 and has disposed t-hereupon a screen 21. which is supported by the trunnion 22`mounted in fork 20.

The carriage 17 carries shutters 23 and 24 for regulating the area through which X- light may pass and adapted to be operated by rods 25 and 26 which are connected to rotatable handle members 27 and 28` one being disposed within the other, and the outer one being seated for rotation in a sleeve 29 disposed on the Carriage 17. The foregoing description applies to apparatus that is conventional and found in a modern X-rav table.

Depending from the carriage 17 beneath the shutters 23 and 24 and secured to a platform' or base 30 are two triangular brackets 31 which provide adjacent their bottom the axis of revolution for a tube holding member. The tube holding part comprises a gcnerally triangular member 32 having detachable apices and at its geometrical center, a Coupling member 33 in which is secured a shaft 34 which shaft 34 extends through and is journalled in the triangnilar bracket 31. One of the shafts 34 has at its end a gear 35, and at the same end and in juxtaposition thereto is a bracket 36 in which an operating shaft 37 is journalled.

Qperating shaft 37 has at its end a gear 38 meshing with gear 35, and at its other end, it is journalled in a bracket 39 secured to the carriage 17. A handle 40 upon the upper end of rod 37 provides for the Operation of the shaft 37 and said shaft 37 when rotated, imparts motion to the shafts 34 whereby the tube holder 32 is rotated from' one position to another. Complete rotation is not necessary, as is readily apparent, but is not objectionable. For Convenience. the handle 40 is placed in juxtaposition to the operating handles 27 and 28 for the shutter portions of the device.

Three X-ray tubes 41 are used with the device shown. Each of the X-ray tubes 41 is disposed within a shield comprising two parts 42 adapted to be bolted together at a flange 43. There is a window 44 in each shield 42 through which window the X-light generated by the tube 41 is adapted to be projected.

The tube 41 is supplied with the usual anode and cathode if it is of the hot Cathode type Which type is the only type suitable for use with Shields such as are here illustrated. and at the ends of the tubes, special Connections now to be described are provided.

It will be noted that at the right hand end of the tube 41 in Figure 1 is a. threaded portion 45 of small diameter and an insulated head 46 of relatively greater diameter. At the other end of the tube is a Contacting portion 47. The parts 45 and 46 are insulated one from another and are used as contacts whereby the low tension Current for heating the cathode is introduced into the tube 41. The threaded part 45 or the head 46 also provide a Connection for the high tension current and one is eonnected to the cathodeI for this purpose, while the part 47 provides a vconnection for the other side of the high tension current with which the tube is adapted to be onerated.

VVithin the right hand member 31 (Figure 1) is a bracket 48 having an extension portion 49 adapted to be secured to the base or platform 30. To this bracket is secured a connector 50 which is adapted to engage the threaded portion 45 of tube 41. There is also mounted in the bracket 48, a. connector 51 Which is adapted to' establish electrical connection with the part 46 upon the tube 41.`

Connectors 50 and 51 may be spring actuated or of any other desirable construction whereby they form an intimate contact With the parts 45 and 46 of a tube 41 when such tube is brought into usable position by proper rotation of the triangular members 32.

At the opposite end of the device, or the left hand end of F igure 1, and upon the left hand part 31 is another bracket designated 52, which bracket may be provided with an insulated sleeve 53 through which a high tension cable may be run. At the end of the sleeve 53 is a contact 54, spring actuated |or otherwise operated, whereby it is adapted to securely engage the part 47 of a tube 41 when in operable position. The Cables 55, 56, and 57 are adapted to be electrically connected with the contacts 54, 51, and 50 respectively.

For Convenience, a bracket 58'may be pro- Vided in juxtaposition to the left hand-member 31 (Figure 1) and upon said braclret ar disposed cable bushings 59 to accommodate Cables 56 and 57. At theextreme left hand end of Figure 1, are several cord reels, designated 60, over which the Cables 55, 56 and 57 are adapted to pass, as an incident to connection with the contacts heretofore described.

It is well known in the X-ray art to provide cords and cord reels or pulleys whereby the hiO'h tension wires may be automatically drawn out of a position where contact therewith is likely to occur. The present apparatus is of the type indicated and the various pulleys here described and particularly pulley 60, are for the express purpose of accommodating the needs of an X-ray table with respect to electrical conduits.

As previously indicated, the member 32 has removable apices, designated 32a. The peripheral surface of the member 32 adjacent such apices is cut away to form a semicircular depression and the material of the removable and detachable 'apices 32a is likewise cut away. The two removed portions are complemental and thus afford means for mounting an X-ray tube shield. The parts 42 are adapted to be held securely between the member and the detachable holding portions 32a, suitable screw members being adapted to pass through the parts 32a into the body of the triangular member 32.

From the preC-eding description, the operation of the multiple tube holder disclosed in Figures 1 and 2 is quite apparent. VVhen a tube 41 is required or desired for use, the handle 40 is rotated until the selected tube is brought into its proper position beneath the shutters 23 and 24. As an incident to its rotation into proper position, the ends of the tube 41 are brought into contact with the members 50 and 51 at one end thereof and the member 54 at the other end whereby the necessary electromotive force to operate the tube may be introduced therein.

Then another of the tubes 41 held in the device is desired, the handle is operated until such other tube is brought into position and thecontacts previously described obtained. As has been pointed out, the members 32 need not be mounted for Complete rotation. There may be what is called al middle tube and two end tubes, the magnitude of the rotation of the parts 32 being the arc intermediate the position Which one end tube occupies when in operable position to the position the same tube occupies when the other end tube is in operable position.

In Figures 3 and 4, a Vertical X-ray device is disclosed. In this type of apparatus it may be desirable to employ a series of tubes held in alignment rather than in the manner described hereinabove. WVhen so held, the Shifting of the tube holder may be in a straight line rather than with a rotary motion as is necessary in the type of device shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The device .disclosed in Figures 3 and 4 comprises a Conventional Vertical fluoroscopic and radiographic stand. The stand comprises the base 7 O and the uprights 71 and 71a.. Connected to the uprights 71 and 71a at their top is a casting or other suitably formed memberx 72. Transverse brace members 73 may be 'employed in conJunction With the apparatus for adding strength thereto.

Upon brackets 74 and 75, generally disposed upon the uprights 71, is a sheet of material '7 6, transparent to X-light, and against Which 'the object to be examined or photographed, generally a human being, is stood during the course of fluoroscopic examination or radiographic reproduction. As is not un- Common in Vertical X-ray apparatus, the pa'- -tients support 76 may not be truly Vertical.

Upon the members 71 and adapted to be moved vertically and reciprocatingly is a carriage 77. From this Vdepends the tube vholder whichr forms the subject matter of this application for patent, and the fluoroscopic screen fully illustrated in Figure 4. The carriage 77 is counterbalanced by a Weight 78 carried upon a cable 79, such cable passing over the pulleys 80 on the top member 7 2.

From brackets 81 projecting upwardly from the Carriage 77 a fluoroscopic screen depends. The means for mounting the fiuoroscopic screen comprises members 82 horizontallyslidable upon said brackets 81 and from which depend a forked member 83 forming a piVot mounting for a fluoroscopic screen 84. Suitably .disposed with respect to the carriage 77 are shutters such as are described hereinabove and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. For Convenience such shutters in the Vertical apparatus are designated 85. Said shutters 85 are actuated by operating handles 86 and 87 through which rods 88 and 89 may be actuated. Disposed about said operating handles 86 and 87 is a third operating handle 90, the handle being of a generally knurled configuration. Handle 90 rotates a tubular shaft 91 to which a gear 91a is keyed.

The tube holding member is designated 92. Depending therefrom are bra ckets 93, 94, 95, 96, 97 and 98. In these brackets are disposed X-ray tubes. Each of the X-ray tubes when disposed in the brackets referred to above, is held within shields comprising two parts designated 99 and 100.

The brackets 93 to 98 inclusive for supporting X-ray tubes are preferably of insulating material and the Shield parts 99 and 100 are also of insulating material. Because of the use of insulating material in the manner just described, there is no possibility of shorting the high tension electromotive force employed in operating the tubes when in the apparatus.

Carriage 92 is adapted to be reciprocated transversely of carriage 77 so that the tubes contained in the brackets previously mentioned may be brought one at a time, into a position at approximately the center of the carriage 77 A gear rack 101 is arranged to mesh in gear 91a and said gear rack 101 is directly secured to the carriage 92. Said rack 101 moves the carriage 92 whereby it is forced to move relatively to the carriage 77. Rotation of the handle 90 therefore brings the several tubes contained in the paired brackets above referred to into operable position at the Will of the operator.

Adjacent the carriage 92 is a bracket 104. At the free end thereof is a contact 105 of the plunger type or spring actuated and which is electrically connected to a cord or cable 106 passing about a cord reel 107. At the other end of the tube carrier 92 is a second bracket 108 having an extension 110 upon which two cable bushings 111 are disposed.

Upon the cross member 109 are two contacts 112 and 113, both carrying low tension current for heating the filament in the tubes. One of the contacts 112 or 113 is in electrical circuit with a source of high tension power for energizing the tube.

One of the contacts 112 or 113 is adapted to impinge the collar 114 upon the X-ray tube. Insulating material is used in conjunction with the tube for the purpose of insulating said collar 114 from a threaded portion 115 closely adjacent thereto. Cords 116 and 117 pass about cable bushings 118 and cord reels 119 to a source of electromotive force and thus an electrical connection between such source of power and the contacts is established. By rotating the handle 90 in one direction or the other the tube carrier of the Vertical fluoroscopic and radiographic device here illustrated is adapted to be reciprocated horizontally in one direction or the other until the tube selected for the examination or Operation is brought into an operable position in juxtaposition to the shutters 85 ereinabove described. An instant change of tubes is accomplished by merely rotating the handle 90 the desired number of turns.

In either form of the device illustrated, means may be supplied whereby the electromotive force for energizing the X-ray tube may be automatically cut off as an incident to a change or contemplated change in tubes. This is amatter of safety. A plunger actuated switch can readily be supplied which switch will be adapted to open as an incident to any lateral movement of the carriage 92.

What we claim is new and desire to Secure by Letters Patent is:

X-ray apparatus comprising a tube having a conducting sleeve and a conductingr head insulated therefroln at one end, and a` conducting sleeve at its other end, a shiftable holder for such tube, means for moving said holder, and a series of spring actuated contacts for establishing electrical connection with said tube sleeves and head as an incident to such tube being moved into a predetermined operable position.

JULIUS B. lVANT Z. JULIUS J. GROBE. 

